Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-12-22

The traditions and legends connected
with Christmas have an interest pecul-
iariy their own, and it is worth noting
that the spirit Of charity and goodwill.
which is the leading characteristic of the
happy time, perVades them all. Some
Of the most interesting Of these customs
we will endeavor TO briefly describe.
In England the custom Of staying up
to midnight TO hear the Christmas
''waits" is still observed, although many
good people il asked the question would
find it difficult to give reason for doing
so. The tradition that Christ was born
at midnight originated this custom. At
one time bands of singers used to go about
from house to house singing Christmas
carols. These were the "waits," and by
degrees the quantity beautiful carols
which they sang degenerated into mere
doggerel, and the cnstom for time fell
into disuse. Latterly, however, it has
been revived somewhat, as also the GUS
tom of singing Christmas carols in Prot
estant Episcopal churches.
In the feudal times when the old bar
onial halls glo,ied in vast tireplaces the
bringing in of the Yule log, an entire
trunk OF a tree which was burned whole,
was n great event and attended by
peculiar ceremonies and great rejoicing.
Then feasting followed; the mighty
wassail bowl was introduced and the
solid pleasures of the table followed and
were kept up with zest and ability to
put away vast quantities of provision
that would astonish most people of th
present generation. The central dish was
the boar's head, tlanl1ed by other spoils
of the chase. At the present day tht
crowning ideas of Christmas pleasures in
England, as, indeed, in everywhere else
throughout Christendom, are still the
grosser Joys of eating and drinking. The
I'roast beef and plum pudding of Old
England has a Yu etide smack about il
and solid plenty is the characteristics Of
Christmas cheer at English tables. First
comes the savory roast goose, which is
the recognized Christmas dish among all
classes peers and commone:s alike, and
the plum pudding, which is brought in
steaming, causing young hearts to rejoice
and bringing in a vista of future stomach
ache and physic to small boys Through
out the land Charity expands her wings,
and in all the large cities a general move
ment is heartily made to let the poor
have at least one good dinner.
In America the custom Of hanging up
the stocking is as heartily observed as
ever, and little boys and girls in town
and country for weeks before Christmas
speculate on what Santa Claus will bring
them. The North German custom of the
Christmas tree has been largely revived
of late years, and in many households has
become regular observance every year.
Both the Christmas tree and the Santa
Claus custom are the relics of the, days
when Thor, Wooden and Erica were wor.
SHIPPED, but modified By Christianity till
they are now emblematic of the charitable
feelings of the day of gladness.
In France, many years ago, it was the
habit for people to stop all kindsof Labor
at noon on the day before Christmas, and
masters kept open house and feasted theil
employees. 1t was also the fashion for the
people to assemble ON the outside oi
churches and cathedrals long before naid-
night, and the time was passed away by
singing of Christmas carols, the Monks
teaching them how to sing the carols as
we'll as the Latin canticles Of the Church.
| As the Saturnalian clement began to come
uppermost, the carols became scurrilous
and obscene, and no regret was felt when
the custom was done away with.
In sunny Italy the most visible charac'
teristic il the excessive love and devotion
felt for the Virgin, which shows itself in
many qnitint wags. The whole scope Of
the teaching of the Church tends to make
the people realize the birth Of Christ a
an Actual yearly occurrence. This has
led to the manifestation of the p;fferari
the bagpipe players, who are all from the
mountains of Calabria The pifferar
divide themselves into three bands, which
march down the streets, stopping al
every shrine and pouring out wild music
characterized rather by loudness thar
| melody. This is one of the sights O
Rome at Christmas time. 1t is the mis-
sion of the pitferari to 60 through th,
city and pray before all the shrincs to th'
Virgin to cheer her spirits while under
going the anguish OF accouchement. Il
Germany, Christmas is observed witt
peculiar heartiness. There Santa Clau
has an abiding home, and the Christina
tree, with its cheerful light, is found il
every house where money can be raise
to procureit. Like the people of Eng
land, the Germans place eating am
drinking among the foremost of pleasure
/ at Christmas-tide.
The Russian observances at Christina
are peculiar in one important respect
They lag behind the other Christian ma
tions. Their Christmas eve falls on ou
9TH Of January, as the Russians neye
surrendered the Julian Calendar. Th
/ Christmas festivities are marked wit
quaint games in which parts are assigne
for youths and maidens, and stric
code Of etiquette is observed throug
them all.
i In the Spanish American cities Q
Central America solemn observation
take place in the churches on Christina
4 Eve. Among the customs is the ez
hibition Of miniatnre figures Of wa
illustrating the Nativity and colored az
cording to nature. This representatio
is called nacimiento, and every family {
consequence prepares one, which is set j
the best room. Neo YorE Telegram.
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